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May 16, 2005
I'm operating on the assumption that if you go ahead and get ready for summer, summer will come
We've decided not to wait any longer for spring to arrive, but to brave the bitter cold and do some work in the garden. We're focussing our efforts mainly on the front yard for now, because it's smaller and everyone can see it. Our fabulously talented and generous friend Rob has offered to do a design for us, so with that in mind I went out on Saturday to measure the area and make a drawing for Rob to work from. I've also started a project page for the garden, which you can access here if you're actually interested in the gritty details. For now there's just my drawing and some photos of the sorry patch of dirt and weeds we have to work with.
We also spent some time pulling out the last of the euonymous and other stuff we didn't want there, trying somewhat in vain to get all of the white marble chips out (seriously, who puts that shit in gardens?) and pulling up the layer of rotting black plastic that was underneath it all. This little dude thought I was digging up breakfast just for him, and wouldn't leave me alone.
I won't duplicate all of the progress photos here, but here's one I took from the porch this afternoon after I put the tarp down to kill the grass.
Because I'm a total cheapskate and also a slob, instead of a tarp I'm using the cover from the pool that was here when we moved in, all cut into pieces. Because I don't really care what the neighbours think of me, or of my yard. It was a nasty job; the tarp's been lying on the ground in the back yard all winter, killing grass, so it's collected all kinds of mud and tree droppings and slime and when I lifted it up it was stinky like something died in it way back in December. The grass that was underneath it out back is well and truly dead, and the birds have been having a heyday out there in the bare patch, chowing down on all the snails. Yum.
The piss-poor weather isn't stopping me from planning this year's roster of slutty summer knits. Camocleo only needs some triangles to cover up my boobs and she is finished.
The lace detail doesn't show up all that well in the mixed yarn, but I think this top is going to be hot hott hottt anyway.
I've also started working on Kim's "Sexie" halter from S'n'B Nation. I love this little top. I'm making it out of a red ribbon yarn recycled from secondhand (did someone say cheap? Yeah, I'm cheap). I bought this ugly ribbon pullover a year ago thinking the yarn was kind of neat, and have been despairing ever since of ever finding anything good to knit from it; it's glam in a frumpy middle-aged lady polyester accordian-pleated slacks kind of way, and even though I may be on the cusp of middle age, I'm not really striving for frumpy polyester glam. Frumpy, at least, is a look I can pull off without really trying very hard.
The yarn's got this crazy sparkle (see? middle-age glam! It makes me want to paint my toenails salmon pink just looking at this stuff) that's impossible to photograph.
This is what it looked like knitted loosely in the big awful pullover. This is what it looks like worked on 4.5mm needles, in Sexie's eyelet pattern:
Much better, no?
Also on the slutty summer knit list:
Soleil (not slutty on its own, but I think I'm going to carry the lace through more of the torso, and narrow the straps);
finishing the red peekaboo skirt;
Orangina;
and both of Stefanie's boobholder/skirts from S'n'B Nation. Because I was only going to make the mesh one (I'm a big sucker for the mesh) but then I saw the Cap'n's version of the other one in progress, and now I want it too. Even though it's not quite as slutty. I might want to make a few things I can wear to job interviews too.
Posted by jodi at May 16, 2005 08:39 PM | categories: projects : sticks and string
Comments
hooray for sexie!!!!! i can't wait to see it finished!!
Posted by: kim at May 16, 2005 11:59 PM
If you dig it, it will come....or something. I have been astonished at the late spring, because it didn't seem to me that we had a harsh winter here. But the plants know something we don't know, as the flowering trees, etc., are way behind their usual schedule. I don't get it. So I've been using that excuse not to get my lazy butt out there and start digging, etc. But soon I will have to find the energy and just get to it already. Ergh. Yay for summer slutty knits (for you young chickens, anyway!)
Posted by: Norma at May 17, 2005 08:08 AM
I had considered doing the same with Soleil, then I looked at my poochie tummy and chickened out.
In response to your comments on CrazyAuntPurl, if you ever visit So Cal, consider my couch up for grabs! I would LOVE you to stay with us.
Posted by: La at May 17, 2005 12:30 PM
I love those terms you used (pipe thingy, tree with stinky white flowers).
W. :)
Posted by: Wendy at May 17, 2005 02:16 PM
That tape looks way better on the smaller needles. Maybe I'll go to Goodwill for a fix tonight...
Posted by: Rachel T at May 17, 2005 06:21 PM
Jodi, I come to your page almost daily and read about your days and projects and thoughts...and think to myself, you and I could be really good friends! lol Why o why the compulsion to check in on you and see what you have created or what your thinking or what the fats have done (sorry about your cup ;0( )
Anywho, Im glad to know you, even if its in a strange sorta way, peering at you through this fish eyelens of internet.
Maybe someday you can visit Hawaii and we could meet for lunch! (Without the fats, Im allergic!grins)
Mahalo and Nemaste,
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa at May 17, 2005 07:33 PM
I love the colours on CamoCleo, can't wait to see the completed one.
Nothing wrong with being cheap...and you're lucky to find things you can repurpose! :)
Posted by: Rebecca at May 17, 2005 09:18 PM
Great colors you've got going there, Jodi.
I wish summer would come, already. Today it was like winter. Where's my sun?
Posted by: Becky at May 18, 2005 09:40 AM
Your CamoCleo is looking good -- and I think that the ReNewed ribbon yarn is done much better in Kim's pattern! Yeah!
Cheers!
Posted by: Kimberli at May 18, 2005 10:26 AM